Wednesday, August 26, 2009

8/26/09: The Executive Vice President has issued an apology to Ericka Aviance and the LGBT community

“Much of the success of The Wendy Williams Show is due to our incredibly diverse and colorful audience and we all agree that fashion is a true form of self expression. But in an attempt to explain and enforce our show’s dress code, I was not as sensitive as I could have been to Ericka, the LGBT community or drag’s long history of being a target of discrimination. And for that, I sincerely apologize as it was never my intention to offend in any way.” ~ Lonnie Burstein, Executive Vice President, Programming & Production, Debmar-Mercury (GLAAD).

8/14/09: The Wendy Williams Show is a syndicated talk show by the "shock jockette" herself who talks about a range of topics. Wendy Williams has been considered a friend to the gay community, often appearing to be a drag queen herself, and using many gay terms on the show. That's why it came as a surprise to drag singer Ericka Toure Aviance who was blocked from appearing on the show due to her outfit.

While standing in line outside the studio Wednesday morning, the group was approached by a female intern who noted the fact that Aviance was a drag queen. “She took my name down, so we thought we were about to get VIP treatment,” Aviance recalls. “After another hour we got to the door, and there’s this little white man standing there giving us the eyeball. He gets in our way to prevent us from going in, and he says, ‘You’re in violation of our no-costumes dress code. We usually don’t do this, but we know you’ve been waiting out there for a while, so we’re going to let you in. But you can’t appear on camera, and if you get up for Hot Topics or try to ask Wendy a question, you’ll be removed from the building" (Advocate).

What is really hypocritical is the fact that the Wendy Williams website does state this about their dress code policy:

Is there a dress code?YES! All audience members may appear on camera. Think trendy…think stylish…think chic! Above all else, think WENDY! Bright colors look best on TV and we ask that you refrain from wearing white. Floral prints and other crazy patterns don’t look good on camera, and we know you want to look your best! Absolutely no hats, sunglasses, costumes, shirts with logos/writing, shorts, or casual tank tops will be permitted.(Wendy Show).

So it appears that Aviance was mistreated for being a drag queen and not based on her attire because her outfit certainly is not a costume.

The Wendy Williams show does not have an official contact form, I urge you to leave a message on her blog, use the Ask Wendy on her site, or contact her via twitter to request an apology.

21 comments:

Anonymous
said...

who cares?...who watches that tired Amazon's show?..she is the most ignorant illiterate host I have ever seen on TV...She is the most Ghetto thing there is on TV..her show will not last.perhaps SHE should not be allowed on her own show...what with all the weaves and FAKE hair and God awful make-up she herself wears.blah...this is a non issue...Wendy WHO?...LOL

I can't for the life of me figure out why they considered Aviance's outfit to be a "costume." That in itself was one of the most discriminating things they could've done. Every time I see Wendy anyway I think "drag queen." Her show is nothing but all gossip about other celebrities anyway. I'll be glad when it gets cancelled!

Wendy Williams is the most ghetto person on TV.She give out to much info on herself and everyone else. She on her period, who gives a F@#$. Neither do I care about her implants. You can tall she use to be a crackhead.

I think she looks like a big boned girl. This is not the first time, anyone has seen a bigger than usual girl. As far as the format of her show, even before, when she was on the radio, she was about the gossip, that's her gimmick, so sue her, what about shows like TMZ? same format. As usual, our society hates anyone that looks different or acts differently. How can anyone say that she is the most ghetto person on the air, Oh my gawd, Wendy? Ghetto? Lord have mercy there are soooooo many other people on TV that are way more ghetto, in fact I don't see ghetto in Wendy at all. People are so rude and crazy these days. Go Wendy! Keep up the good work, I love the show!